The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-01

IOH Ono pent OF carry training my
prejudices were strongly on the ortho-
dox side. This was natural, as all my
relatives were members of the Presby-
terrain church-in fact, the very air was
blue with Calvinism. The few Meth
odists around us were regarded as
''cranks," having zeal without knowl-
edge. But we felt that there was some
thing sadly out of joint in the common
doctrine of the day. People that did
not lend their influence to support the
church were ignored in good society.
Common sense taught that this was not
true religion, that instead of narrowing
down our benevolenceit broadens its do
minion, it reveals the great brotherhood
of man, annihilates selfshness and iden-
titles our interests with that of our race.
News came that Father Stacy, that
grand old preacher, would fill an ap-
pointment at Laporte. This was about
three miles south of Elyria, where we
lived and attended school. One beauti-
full evening in October, when the moon
was at its full, we mounted our horse
and took our departure to hear the new
preacher. We had always understood
that Satan sent out only smart men to
build up his kingdom, but Father Stacy
was far from being prepossessing in his
personal appearances; small thin frame
sharp features-short in stature-and
withal carrying wonderfully benignant
face. We saw no new link in the chain
of existence; no horns or cloven feet.
After the common way, he went into
the pulpit, read chapter in the Bible,
then hymn, which was followed by a
very devotional prayer. 1 must con-
fess there was something in his meek,
gentle way, that made good impression
before he began to preach, and the SER
mon proved to be the most captivating
and wonderful that l ever listened to,
or ever shall in this life, for it converted
me-sweeter than odors waited from
mountain of spices, and calmer than
the music Of heaven, it proved to be
the power of God unto salvation. AS
the preacher went Cd, arguments against
our faith which were considered incon-
trovertible, vanished like mist before
the monday sun. And when he began
on the promises we were utterly aston
ished at the amount of proof. If it was
first like drop of water, it was next
rivulet, and next broad majestic river,
and finally the boundless ocean. He
gave us a, ''Thus saith the Lord, that
sin would be finished and the leaven
leaven the whole lump; that the stone
which smote the image should become
great mountain and fill the whole
earth; the silver should be found, and
the sheep restored, and finally there
should be one fold and one shepherd.
Nopencil can paint or tongue describe
the joy and rapture Of my entranced
and emancipated soul. On my way
home, spell-bound by the inspiration of
that beautiful night felt that 1 could
fathom the meaning of the apostles
words, when he says, "Joy nnspeaka-
BILE and full of glory"
About four years from the time of
our conversion, we received a license to
preach the gospel. True wisdom should
have guided us to more thorough
preparation for this important work;
but our zeal knew no bounds, and by
faith we saw the millennium near at
hand-when the watchmen upon the
walls of Zion should see eye to eye, and
all that was necessary to usher in this
glorious day was simply knowledge
of the truth. We have since learned
the important lesson that the world
moves slowly, but it moves. 1t is said
that all the converts, the result of mis-
sionary efforts in heather lands, would
not equal in numbers the missionaries
sent. In the winter of 81, all the Or
gained Universalism in northern Ohio,
consisted in small parish at Olmstead;
but from this date our prospects bright
ened, converts were multiplied, Zion
enlarged her borders. Before our great
rally in Akron, in '43, churches had
been built in Cleveland, Sharon, West
field, Akron, Laporte, and Olmstead
and we can recall the names of ten cler-
gymen, who lived and labored within
the bounds of the Murray Association.
In '42 or '43, Rev. DR.. Emerson, now
the able editor of the Christian Leader,
came to Cleveland, O., and started a
Universalist paper; this paper attained
a very large circulation through that
part of the country, and proved to be
an important factor in extending
knowledge of the truth. This was our
brothers. first venture in editorial work,
and all through his connection with
The Ohio UnirerSalist, he gave abundant
evidence of his peculiar fitness for this
calling. This Every young man" as he
was pleased to call himself at our late
General Convention, was our near neigh
Dor and member of the same Associ-
alton, and, doubtless, we have travelled
miles enough behind the same old pony
to span the distance between Cleve-